STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The Elliot Rodger killing spree, which started because he said he'd been rejected by women all this life, has kicked off a global Twitter debate under the hashtag #YesAllWomen, with women talking about the unique threats and challenges they face simply because they are women.

Rodger killed six people and himself after on May 23 after a rampage in Santa Barbara, Calif. A number of Rodger's misogynistic Facebook postings and YouTube videos surfaced in the wake of the killings, including a "manifesto" in which he detailed his violent feelings against women.

In one video, Rodger said, "If I can't have you, girls, I will destroy you."

In his final video, he said, "You girls have never been attracted to me. I don't know why you girls aren't attracted to me. But I will punish you all for it. It is an injustice, a crime."

A sorority house was among Rodger's targets when the killing spree began.

The #YesAllWomen hashtag originated in a conversation between Annie Cardi, a Massachusetts author, and another woman whose account settings have since been made private.

"It's not 'all men are dangerous' but 'all women live with some element of threat,'" Cardi wrote. Later, she added: "Sounds like something that needs to get shared right now. #YesAllWomen."

The hashtag quickly caught on, with people all over the world sharing experiences of sexism, intimidation, sexual violence and abuse.

"I shouldn't have to hold my car keys in hand like a weapon & check over my shoulder every few seconds when I walk at night," said one Twitter user.

"'I have a BF' is more effective than saying 'I'm not interested' bc men respect other men more than my right to say no," wrote another.

"I think it's healthy for women to share their experiences of sexism or misogyny," said Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn). "This type of behavior still exists in the 21st century here in America."

She said women still endure sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination and domestic violence.

"We are still at a disadvantage in the workplace, both in business and in politics," she said. "We are looked at differently."

"Anytime you can get people to talk about their problems, it's helpful," said state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn).

But Ms. Savino said that she hoped that what would also be shared is how women can get help if they feel they are in threatening situations.

"When it comes to domestic violence, the biggest challenge to helping women, and men, is letting them know there's help available," she said. "You have to be able to help them."

She said if that information doesn't become part of the #YesAllWomen debate, "that would be a real shame."

#YesAllWomen is being used all over the world, celebrities had weighed in on it and several counter-hashtags had sprung up, including #NotAllMen and #YesAllPeople.

The counter hashtags, predictably, sparked further backlash.

"#YesAllWomen," wrote a Twitter user identified only as Priya, "because we can't talk about our fears and our experiences in even a HASHTAG without men coming to turn it into #YesAllPeople."

(Associated Press material was used in this report.)

Seriously: He left a manifesto and a video tape that he is going to destroy women and still we are told, it's not about us. #YessAllWomen